Pentagon Intel: Iran Still Retains Militarily Capabilities, Counters Trump Claims
Findings from the defence intelligence community contrast sharply with statements made by Trump and Pete Hegseth, who had suggested that Iran’s military had suffered irreversible losses
Washington, DC: A fresh assessment from the Pentagon’s intelligence wing indicates that Iran still retains its “key military capabilities,” challenging recent claims by senior US officials about the weakening of Tehran’s forces.
According to a report by NBC News, findings from the defence intelligence community contrast sharply with statements made by US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who had suggested that Iran’s military had suffered irreversible losses.
The intelligence report states that despite recent operations, Iran’s armed forces remain a potent regional power, contradicting claims that its air force had been destroyed and its navy decimated.
Amid these developments, President Trump announced an extension of the ceasefire involving Iran, citing a request from Pakistan’s leadership to delay a planned military strike. The decision came just hours before the previous deadline was set to expire.
In a statement, Trump described the Iranian administration as “seriously fractured” and said the maritime blockade of Iranian ports would continue until a “unified proposal” is received from Tehran.
Posting on Truth Social, he said the pause in hostilities was granted at the request of Asim Munir and Shehbaz Sharif. He added that the US military had been directed to maintain the blockade while remaining fully prepared for further action.
Trump confirmed that the ceasefire would remain in place until Iran submits its proposal and discussions are concluded.
However, the announcement drew a sharp response from Tehran. Mahdi Mohammadi, an adviser to Iran’s parliament speaker, dismissed the move, stating that the “losing side cannot dictate terms.”
He argued that the extension “means nothing” to Iran and called for a stronger military response, warning that the move could be a tactic to buy time for a potential surprise strike.
This development follows the collapse of earlier diplomatic efforts, including a 21-hour negotiation in Islamabad that ended without any breakthrough between the two sides.
